Steven Gerrard, could face a Football Association investigation after he appeared to flash a V-sign at the referee Andre Marriner during Liverpool's 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic last night.

The England midfielder was booked in the 81st minute of the Premier League match at the DW Stadium following a challenge from behind on James McCarthy, and replays of the incident suggested that Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, had gestured towards Marriner as well as mouthing an obscenity at the official.

Marriner did not notice the gesture but the FA may decide that Gerrard, who captained England in their 3-1 friendly victory over Egypt last week, has a case to answer.

Liverpool's manager, Rafael Benítez, speaking after the game, insisted he had not seen the incident. "I don't know, I was too far away," he said.